Friday, April 11, 2014

11 April 1964 - Leeds Leads The Way

On 11 April 1964, Leeds United secured their return to the First Division with a 0-3 away win over Swansea Town. Going into the match, Leeds were on top of the table and needed only a point against 18th-place Swansea to secure promotion. Striker Alan Peacock opened the scoring for the Mighty Whites in the 15th minute, then added another four minutes later. Midfielder Johnny Giles then scored the third goal in the 34th minute.

Leeds' promotion to Division One was all the more remarkable, given that two years earlier, they nearly dropped down into Division Three, finishing the 1961-62 season in 19th place out of 22 Division Two teams and only three points above the relegation zone.

Leeds' promotion campaign was orchestrated by manager Don Revie, who had been appointed in March of 1961. It was the first of several honors he helped secure for the club, including the Division One title in 1969 and 1974, the FA Cup in 1972, the League Cup in 1968, the Charity Shield in 1969, and the Fairs Cup in 1968 and 1971. He also led them to the finals of the European Cup Winners' Cup in 1973.